Course Articulation General Information
Types of Articulation Agreements
General Education Articulation Agreements identify a pattern of courses that fulfill lower division general education requirements. Patterns include:
- Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)
- CSU General Education (CSU-GE) Breadth Requirements
- Independent College specific pattern.
Which pattern a student should follow is dependent on the transfer university and specific major being considered. Consult with a West Valley College Counselor for assistance with understanding the most appropriate choice.
- Lower Division Major Preparation Articulation Agreements describe lower division major preparation (or courses) to be completed in order to be a eligible for transfer.
- Elective Course Articulation Agreements describe specific courses taken at a community college that will transfer; however, do not fulfill any specific requirements (GE or Major Preparation) other than as transferable units.
The final responsibility for successfully achieving an educational goal rests with the student. Information found on these web pages is designed to be helpful; however, information is subject to frequent changes so students are strongly recommended to consult with a counselor.
Frequently Asked Questions about Course Articulation
What is articulation?
The process that facilitates the successful transfer of students from community colleges to undergraduate baccalaureate programs. It is the process of developing formal written agreements that explain how courses transfer from one institution to another, either “as comparable to” or acceptable in lieu of” specific course requirements at four year institutions.
What does articulation agreement mean?
Each university system has its own program requirements. These requirements vary with the student’s intended major. An articulation agreement is an agreement with a four-year institution that specifies which West Valley College courses may be transferred to meet general education, elective, or major requirements.
What is the process for transferability of a course?
The process begins with the approval of a course first by the Curriculum Committee. If it is approved prior to the catalog printing deadline (usually in mid spring), the course will be listed in the next academic year’s catalog. Courses approved by our Curriculum Committee and gain Board approval may be submitted for approval for inclusion on the UC Transfer Course Agreements (TCA) list and the CSU Baccalaureate list. Our courses must be approved for the Transferable Course Agreement (TCA) and CSU-B lists before any secondary agreements (such as Course to Course, IGETC, CSU- GE, or Pre-Major courses) may be initiated.
Who do I see to get my course articulated?
Requests for articulation should be made to the Articulation Officer for each course in which articulation is requested.
What are the types of articulation agreements?
- Course-to-Course Agreement: to determine if a specific course taken at one college will satisfy a requirement at another college
- General Education
- CSU General Education-Breadth (CSU GE-B): courses that students may take to satisfy the lower division GE requirements for the CSU campuses.
- Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC): students may use to satisfy lower division general education requirements at the CSU or UC system. IGETC is not recommended for high unit majors (see counselor)
- Campus Specific General Education: pattern specific to a university campus.
How long does the process for obtaining transferability take?
It takes several months to a year, or sometimes longer, to get a new course or a revised course approved for all the appropriate transfer articulation lists.
Where can I see articulation agreements online?
The ASSIST repository contains the statewide student transfer information for California public colleges. It displays reports of how course credits earned at one California public college or university can be applied when transferred to another. ASSIST is the official repository of articulation for California's public colleges and universities (CC, CSU, UC) and therefore provides the most accurate and up-to-date information available regarding student transfer within public institutions in California."
University of California Agreement
- IGETC Pattern
- UC Transfer courses: Direct link to West Valley courses that transfer as either major or electives
- Major Preparation: Campus Specific
- UC Transfer Information : Admission Requirements, Major Preparation Paths, and How Applications are Reviewed
- UC TAG: Transfer Admission Guarantee
- UC Planner: Online tool to help prospective UC transfer students track and plan their coursework
- UC AP: Advanced Placement Credits (campus specific)
California State University Agreement
- CSU GE Pattern
- CSU Campuses
- CSU Transfer Courses: Direct Link to West Valley Courses that transfer as major or elective.
- CSU Impacted Undergraduate Majors
- Major Prep: Campus Specific
- CSU Impaction Information Campus
- CSU Degrees System Wide Search
- San Jose State ADT Road Maps
- System-wide Credit for External Examinations AP
- Cal State Apply: Online Application, Virtual Campus Tours, Financial Aid, and more
California Private Colleges and Universities Agreement
The following list represents Articulation Agreements and/or unofficial transfer course equivalencies with selected CA private colleges and universities. Some of the information represents actual formal articulation agreements, while those without formal agreements list information made available through the university website.
Disclaimer: The websites listed below provide general information regarding transfer course equivalencies, which are for planning purposes only. Information is subject to change at any time without notice; and do not guarantee an award of transfer credit. For official evaluation of transferable courses from West Valley College, please contact the Admission Office of each university.
Private Colleges and Universities
The links below are not representative of all private institutions or all transferable courses.
- Academy of Art University
- The Art Institute of California: Hollywood
- The Art Institute of California: Inland Empire
- The Art Institute of California: Los Angeles
- The Art Institute of California: Orange County
- The Art Institute of California: Sacramento
- The Art Institute of California: San Diego
- The Art Institute of California: San Francisco
- Biola University
- Brandman College
- California College of the Arts
- Cogswell College
- Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising
- Golden Gate University
- Menlo College
- National University
- New School of Architecture and Design
- New School of Architecture and Design resources
- William Jessup University
- St Mary’s College
- Undergraduate/Admissions Articulation Agreements
- Accounting major
- Business Administration Major
- Economics Major
- Psychology Major
- Samuel Merritt College
- Santa Clara University
- School of Engineering
- College of Arts and Sciences
- Leavey School of Business and Administration
- University of the Pacific
- University of San Diego
- University of Southern California
- University of San Francisco
Out-of-State Agreements
The following list represents Articulation Agreements and/or unofficial transfer course equivalencies with selected out-of-State colleges and universities. Some of the information represents actual formal articulation agreements, while those without formal agreements list information made available through the university website.
Disclaimer: The websites listed below provide general information regarding transfer course equivalencies, which are for planning purposes only. Information is subject to change at any time without notice; and do not guarantee an award of transfer credit. For official evaluation of transferable courses from West Valley College, please contact the Admission Office of each university.
The links below are not representative of all private institutions or all transferable courses.
Resources
- C-ID Course Identification Numbering System
- College Source
- California Community College's Chancellor's Office
- CSU ADT Similar Degrees Excel Report
- West Valley College GE Advising Forms
- Associated Degree
- CSU General Education
- IGETC
- Associate Degrees for Transfer
- SB 1440
- A Degree with a Guarantee
- CSU Admissions Golden 4
- Summary of UC Limitations on Transfer Credits
- West Valley College Advanced Placement Chart
- CSU System External Exam Charts
- Advanced Placement (AP)
- International Baccalaureate (IB)
- College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
- West Valley College Catalog
- West Valley College Degrees and Certificates